surprise. is it i?

When Y'shua told the disciples that one of them would betray Him, they had no idea who He was talking about.  Did any of them secretly suspect Judas?  Possibly, but it seems to indicate otherwise by recording their dismayed questions of, Who Master? ..is it i? 

photo credit: boko great

These guys spent a lot of time together --we're talking an eat, sleep and crap together kind of relationship-- except for when they were sent out on preaching missions, it appears they were a tight bunch for the few years of Messiah's ministry leading up to the crucifixion.   But they, just days and even hours before the event, still didn't suspect Judas of being an enemy in their midst.  There seems to be no confused whispers of, Why is He keeping that creep Judas around?!  Can't He see his true colors?! 

No; outwardly Judas had them, and maybe even himself, fooled.

Deception is a scary thing, because it's impossible for the deceived to even detect it's presence.  Only Abba-Yah knows what Judas actually thought he was doing.. regardless of the reasoning in his mind, pride certainly got the best of him.   We know from the record that Judas regretted his decision (Matt 27:3); that he testified of Yahushua's innocence (Matt 27:4); that he wasn't blood-thirsty, and never wanted His death.. all that leads me to believe whatever was going on in Judas' head was a lot more complex than the text delves into. 

This surprise revelation of Judas' character illustrates why Messiah warns us in a parable not to try to identify and eliminate perceived enemy plants, or tares.  The identity of the tares might not be recognizable in the dim view the present time gives us.   Someone we could inwardly think may turn out to be a tare, just might be a hundred-fold bearing stalk of wheat when finally matured.  And conversely, another we would never question in the least of being a saint, can suddenly in the last hour surprise us, like Judas.


photo credit: spotter12

Who Master? ..is it i? 

Some may be conscious they are living a lie, but most who are, i suspect, will be surprised by the revelation.   And in that day there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.





Cross References:

"... I know your works, that you have a name that you live, but you are dead" (Rev 3:1).